Upping the Welfare Ante

Re “32-Hour Workweek Levied for Welfare,” Jan. 7:

The welfare system has a multitude of problems and loopholes; the new 32-hour workweek requirement is a step in the right direction.

With so many “freeloaders” burdening the system and taking away from those who truly need assistance, the only solution is to find a way to “weed out” those abusing the system.

The obvious way to lessen the number of people on welfare is to create more stringent requirements. In the past, it has been ridiculously easy for people to take advantage of welfare. Abusers know how to keep the checks coming; by having huge families, they receive more money for doing nothing than those who work 40-hour weeks.

The welfare bill passed last year shows that the government is finally doing something to resolve this problem. The new requirements are simply a continuation of the reform process.

Also, the article referred to the single parent who, because of the new requirement, will end up neglecting their children. However, many single parents in the United States today work full time, go to school and still find time to spend with their children. What makes welfare recipients any different?

The requirement is already below the 40-hour workweek the government defines as full time. I hope in the future that the requirement is raised from 32 to 40 hours.

CHRISTINE CHIANGE

Mission Viejo